Day 157

Day 159

Positive Mitzvah 60: Offering Animal Sacrifices at their appropriate age
Leviticus 22:27 "And from the eighth day onward, it shall be acceptable as a sacrifice"

The Torah considers an animal younger than eight days old as inappropriate to be offered as a sacrifice.

We are commanded to sacrifice animals which are at least eight days old.

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Introduction to Mitzvot 98 - 107:

Laws Concerning Sacrifices

There are many different types of sacrifices.

Some are offered as an atonement for sin; other are offered to give thanks to HaShem; still others are offered in order to fulfill a promise or pledge.

There are various laws concerning the different types of sacrifices.

For example, one type requires the entire animal be burnt upon the altar, while another type allows certain parts to be eaten by the priests and the person bringing the sacrifice.

The Negative Mitzvot 98 - 107 teach us what is prohibited in regard to different types of sacrifices.

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Negative Mitzvah 100: We are forbidden to offer an animal as a sacrifice that has been acquired by an improper exchange
Deuteronomy 23:19 "You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog, into the house of the L-rd your G-d"

Animals that are designated to be offered as sacrifices must be acquired in a proper and dignified way.

This Negative Mitzvah cautions us not to offer an animal that has been obtained in a manner which the Torah considers improper or not becoming.

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Negative Mitzvah 98: We are forbidden to offer honey or leavened dough upon the altar.
Leviticus 2:11 "For you shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering"

Besides animal sacrifices, meal offerings are also presented on the altar.

These offerings are made of wheat and oil, and they are called a "Minchah Offering".

The ingredients of the Minchah are mixed and formed into a dough.

This dough may not be leavened dough, which means it must not rise high like bread. (Just like on Pesach when we are forbidden any leavened dough, which is called Chametz.)

Also, a sweetener like honey, fruit juice or date extract may not be used, because it causes the dough to rise. We are forbidden to present dough that has risen as a meal offering upon the altar.

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Positive Mitzvah 62: Offering salt with a sacrifice
Leviticus 2:13 "With all your offerings you shall offer salt"

Salt is a very effective preserver.

The Torah commands us to offer salt with all sacrifices.

This salt hints, that by presenting our offerings to HaShem we are "preserving" our closeness to Him (see also Negative Mitzvah 99).

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Negative Mitzvah 99: We are forbidden to offer a sacrifice without salt
Leviticus 2:13 "Neither shall you omit salt the covenant of your G-d"

All sacrifices must be offered with salt (see Positive Mitzvah 62). We are not allowed to present a sacrifice or meal offering which does not contain salt.

The Torah calls the addition of salt to the sacrifice "the covenant of your G-d."

A covenant is a treaty or pact made between two parties.

The Torah uses salt to symbolize HaShem's covenant with the Jewish people.

Salt does not spoil and it retains taste for a very long time, so, too, HaShem's bond with the Jewish people will never be broken.

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In general, when doctors disagree, follow the opinion of the majority of the experts. But in the case of surgery, if there is uncertainty it is usually better to refrain and trust that the Healer of All Flesh will heal and strengthen you.

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com

Day 157

Day 159